Race Tracks Unlimited

German developers Westka Interactive made a splash earlier this
year when they unveiled The Y-Project, an Unreal-engined
action-adventure game. That wasn't the only game they had on show
in the Developers Pavilion at ECTS today though - they've also
announced a brand new game called Race Tracks Unlimited.

F1 Tycoon?

Race Tracks Unlimited is essentially a management sim that puts you
in control of your very own motor racing circuit, letting you
design a track from scratch and then add all of the extra features
and buildings that go to make up a facility like Hockenheim or
Suzuka. These can include anything from fast food stalls and
grandstands to a miniature theme park to keep guests entertained
between race sessions.

The whole thing is rendered in glorious real-time 3D using Westka's
own home made graphics engine, and even at this early stage it's
looking very impressive. Little people wander around the paths
between polygonal trees, brightly painted buildings dot the
landscape and cars whizz around the track (although the detailed
physics that Westka are promising us has yet to be implemented).
Everything from sports cars to the latest Formula 1 beasts can be
found in the game, and as you build up your track to meet the
appropriate standards you'll be able to host official FIA and Indy
Car races to bring in extra cash. Television cameras can be
scattered around the circuit and helicopters used to provide aerial
shots, while race organisers may require medical facilities and
other functions.

The game is still about a year from release, but the sheer variety
of buildings and vehicles already present in the early demo build
we saw is promising. Westka also tell us that gamers will be able
to groom their own race driver, developing his skills and buying
him new cars to compete on your circuit. Although there's plenty of
detail for motor sports fans and management freaks to delve into,
the developers are aiming to produce a game that is, above all
else, fun. Managing director Christoph Kabelitz joked about the
German gaming industry's reputation for creating horribly complex
micro-management titles that nobody else wants to play, and this is
one pitfall they're aiming to avoid.

Conclusion

Judging from what we've seen of Race Tracks Unlimited so far, it
looks like Westka could be up on the podium this time next year.
The game's graphics are cute and highly detailed, the gameplay
sounds promising, and the sheer entertainment factor of designing
circuits and track-side facilities is sure to appeal to any
self-respecting Formula 1 fan, not to mention those of us weened on
the likes of Grand Prix Construction Set. This is a motor racing
game with a difference that we'll definitely be keeping an eye
on...